Trump confirms secret aircraft switch in Turkey over alleged Iran threat
U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that he was secretly moved from Air Force One to a different aircraft during his visit to Turkey last month, citing concerns about a potential assassination attempt.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Mr. Trump said he believed the plane he was transferred to was actually at greater risk than the one he left. “I think actually the plane that I flew on was at greater risk,” he said. “I think it was at greater risk because that would be the plane I think that they would be more likely to go for.”
The Washington Post first reported that the President was transferred between aircraft in a catering truck, a move described as an extraordinary security precaution. The decision reportedly followed intelligence reports of a possible Iranian assassination threat against the U.S. President.
Mr. Trump did not directly confirm the details of the transfer, but his remarks on Wednesday appear to acknowledge the security decision. He did not specify who advised him to switch planes, though he said advisers wanted him on a different aircraft.
The incident took place during Mr. Trump’s visit to Turkey, a NATO member with a complex relationship with the United States. The visit was part of a broader diplomatic trip. The exact date and location of the aircraft switch have not been officially disclosed.
The alleged threat from Iran comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. The two countries have been at odds over a range of issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme and U.S. sanctions. However, no independent confirmation of the specific threat has been provided, and Iranian officials have not commented on the report.
Security experts note that presidential movements are routinely protected by multiple layers of security, and such transfers are not uncommon when specific threats are identified. The use of a catering truck to move a President, however, is highly unusual and points to the seriousness of the perceived danger.
The White House has not issued an official statement on the matter. When asked about the report, Mr. Trump appeared to criticise those who had raised concerns. “I think it was at greater risk,” he repeated, suggesting that the plane he was moved to might have been a more predictable target for any attacker.
Mr. Trump’s statements have prompted questions about the adequacy of the security advice he received. Some observers have noted that the President’s remarks could be interpreted as questioning the judgement of his security detail. The Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting the President, declined to comment on operational details.
The episode remains under scrutiny, with lawmakers from both parties calling for a briefing on the security situation. A congressional aide said that members of the House and Senate intelligence committees have requested information about the threat and the response.
This is not the first time that security concerns have altered presidential travel arrangements. During past administrations, similar precautions have been taken, though such details rarely become public. The disclosure of the Turkey incident is likely to fuel further debate about the safety of U.S. officials abroad and the nature of the threats they face.
For now, the full details of the threat and the decision-making process remain unclear. What is known is that Mr. Trump was moved, he believes the alternative plane was at greater risk, and the episode has become part of the broader discussion about the challenges of protecting national leaders in an unpredictable world.
